A new woman has taken charge at West Middlesex Hospital, but the name's familiar.
Jacqueline Totterdell has replaced Jacqueline Docherty as chief executive of the hospital in Twickenham Road, Isleworth.
She took up the new role on Wednesday (April 1), as Ms Docherty took over the reins at London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Ealing, Central Middlesex and Northwick Park and St Mark's Hospitals.
Ms Totterdell joins West Mid from Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she had spent the last few months as director. She was previously chief executive of Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust for four years and has a total of 32 years' experience in the NHS.
"I am delighted to join West Middlesex at an exciting and pivotal time in its long and proud history," she said. "I have heard many great things about the trust, including its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and I look forward to playing my own part in that and continuing the excellent work carried out by the trust's staff.
"I would like to pay tribute to Dame Jacqueline who has led the trust through some very challenging times. The trust is currently in a strong position ahead of the proposed merger with Chelsea and Westminster which will safeguard the future of this hospital and its services."
Ms Totterdell was last April named among the Health Service Journal's top 50 chief executives for health trusts.
The hospital was later that year told by the health regulator Monitor to take urgent steps to improve, after missing A&E waiting time targets, but by the time she stepped down in September the hospital reportedly had the best A&E performance figures in Essex.
Ms Docherty said: "I have had some of the most fulfilling times of my career at West Middlesex and it has been a privilege to work alongside such dedicated and professional people. As I move to pastures new, I am confident that I do so at a time when the prospects for the new joint trust look very bright."
West Mid's current deputy chairman Nick Gash is also taking on the responsibilities of chairman after Tom Hayhoe was appointed chairman of West London Mental Health NHS Trust.
Mr Gash, who has been a non-executive director at West Middlesex since November 2005, said: "It is a privilege to take up the responsibilities of chairman at such a key time. I am committed to securing the hospital’s future here, serving its community as it has done for so many years.
"Dame Jacqueline and Tom have much to be proud of, having contributed greatly to the West Middlesex through their strong leadership and dedication in improving patient care for the community it serves."
Mr Hayhoe said: "I have enjoyed my time as chairman here enormously. I am proud to have shared in the considerable achievements of the West Middlesex which now moves towards its partnership with Chelsea and Westminster with an enhanced reputation and its future secured as a major hospital under the Shaping a Healthier Future proposals for North West London. I look forward to continuing to work with West Middlesex in my new role at West London Mental Health Trust."
